10 Free things to do in Rarotonga

Are you visiting Rarotonga and trying to do it for the cheapest cost possible? We’ve created a list of free activities to do in between lazing around your
accommodation to get you out there and immerse yourself in Island life with these free things to do.

1. ATTEND A CHURCH SERVICE

While remaining respectful of the locals at worship, tourists are welcome to attend any of the church services. Remember its not a tourist attraction as such but a
beautiful service that should be experienced. The singing just has to be heard, it will give you tingles. Most parts of the service are presented in Cook Island Maori but you will still get the
generalidea. The churches do have a dress code so don’t just turn up in your shorts and singlet if you’re thinking of attending one of the services. Men are
expected to wear pants or shorts with a shirt or polo shirt. Women, dress with shoulders covered. A skirt and top or a dress with shoulders or something underneath to cover shoulders. Although
there is no rule on footwear, don’t turn up in bare feet. Thongs/jandals/flip flops are acceptable. Have a chat

with the locals after the service to get a bit of history and information. The locals are the most knowledgeable and love to tell visitors anything they want to
know.

Titikaveka CICC

2. SNORKEL ANYWHERE AROUND THE ISLAND

Visitors have the freedom to swim in most areas of the lagoon, just remember to access the beach from public land and not wander through private property to get
there. The only areas to avoid are the passages that run from the reef to the shore. These spots or strips of ocean are marked with signage from the beach and you will notice the area by it’s
deep blue colour. They can be a little dangerous to swim near. Snorkelling is the best free activity in Rarotonga, spending hours out in the water gazing and finding all the different marine life
the lagoon habitates. The most open area for any swimming is Muri Beach, but the best spot for fish spotting due to the fishing ban in this area is definitely ‘Fruits of Rarotonga’ area. This is
located directly opposite the ‘Fruits of Rarotonga’ café and Chantal’s Concierge. Another nice area to snorkel. around is where the Queens representative residence is located. Titikaveka district
has the widest and most blue parts of the lagoon to explore and gaze at.

Snorkel for hours in the blue lagoon

3. LEARN TO OPEN A COCONUT

Get a friendly local to demonstrate how a coconut is opened and have ago yourself. Coconuts can be found everywhere on the
ground or maybe someonewill collect a few Nu green nuts. These are the best nuts for drinking, sofresh you’d think
the water inside is carbonated. The darker nuts with waterstill inside are best for eating. If you ask a local, I’m sure they would takegreat pride in teaching you this skill before you attempt it. A fun challengeto see if you could survive on your ownif stranded on a tropical Island as they will keep you alive, excuse me while Iday dream I’m stranded on a tropical Island…

A local council worker opens a Nu coconut

4 WALK TO PAPUA FALLS (WIGMORE’S)

You will find this road PapuaRd in between the abandoned Sheraton Resort and
PaintballKukis on the south side of Island. This may nolonger be a free activity, or you may have to do this one in
the late afternoonas locals have blocked off the entrance with rope & witches hats as theyare charging each car
$5 to access the road up to the falls. This has been atouchy subject for a while now as to where the money is actually being spentbut to avoid this, walk to the falls, a short stroll. The mozzies are quitethick up there so paste yourself with repellent first. A
lovely waterfall tovisit after rain, which has been featured on numerous TV travel shows as aplace to see in
Rarotonga. On your walk up tothe falls, you will walk past the SPCA which is the animal shelter housingstray dogs.
Make a donation to this organisation if you can to help look after thestray dogs of the Island.

Papua Falls (Wigmore Falls)

5. WATCH PLANES LAND CLOSE UP OR A JET BLAST TAKE OFF

This is a fun free thing to do that can be done a few times as it nevergets boring. Stand at the sea wall where planes land
to get a real close up ofthe plane’s belly. Go to the airport for a list of arrivals and departures topick which
planes you will watch. The biggest ones are Air New Zealand and Virgin flights which are usually in themorning and evening. The Jetstar flights are always
around midnight. Get toyour spot a little earlier than expected as most flights are a few minutesearly. Watch the
plane approach you from front on then fly directly overheadbefore touching down on the runway.

Alternatively, for an intense airportexperience, get yourself to the other end of the runway for a jet blast frombehind the plane as it takes off (if a westerly wind). The best time to seethis is at around 8am to watch the Air New Zealand
flight take off. Give thepilots a wave back as they will be waving to you as they turn around and getinto position.
This jet blast is a hot, windy and powerful blast in your face.10 seconds feels like a minute but it’s fun and will get your adrenalinepumping for the day. You may also smell jet fuel for the rest of the day as youinhale it from behind. Wear sunnies or even a helmet and
close your eyes. Makesure you park your scooter or car right away from the blast, you don’t wantissues with the hire
company or insurance if your scooter gets blown over.

Watch planes land in Rarotonga

Get a jet blast at the other end of runway

6. HIKE TO TE RUA MANGA (THE NEEDLE) FOR A GREAT VIEW

This hike will take an easy 1.5hr to reach. This rock formation iseasily visible as it protrudes from oneof the inland mountains. You’ll need to be fairly fit to climb and I wouldn’trecommend attempting this right after a night of rain as it
would be tooslippery, but I do recommend hiking up there for a breath taking view. Set offas early as you can to
avoid the heat as you will work up a good sweat on theway up. Some parts of the track are only as wide as the 60cm ridge so becareful and hold onto trees and use their roots for steps. Once you’ve made it tothe top you can then choose to climb the summit of the
needle using the ropesand chains to take in 360º views of the island. This is for the more advancedclimber but if
just reaching the base of the needle is an accomplishment, takein the gorgeous views while you’re up there and see just how far you’ve come.

You can descend down the other side to emerge on the south side of Island arriving at Wigmore falls or return back to whereyou started.

To find the starting point, take the inland exit at the round about closest to the harbour inAvarua. Cross the stream and
keep driving until you reach the power station.Park your car here and follow the little arrow markers to stay on thetrack.

The market is easily found as tourists and locals bustle around thewaterfront of Avarua. With free entry to the Punanga Nui
market on Saturday,you can walk around and easily fill a few hours. Buy some fruit and vegetables.Have a tropical
smoothie for breakfast as you check out the local handcrafts.Buy a garland to wear. Watch the kids perform their dancing on the outdoorstage. Grab some reasonably priced lunch at one of the stalls on the exit sideof the market. You can meet a lot of locals and ask them
questions, they willhappily tell you all about their products they’ve hand made. Open from 8am–1pm every
Saturday.

Punanga Nui Market

Punanga Nui market

8. WATCH HERMIT CRABS

I could watch these creatures for hours. You can find them on the Island ranging from fingernail size to clenched fist size(probably bigger but this is the largest I’ve seen). They won’t hurt you, justtickle your hand. Be careful not to drop them though, you
may break their shelland home. Watch them as they go about their business in their habitat foraging,climbing and
socialising.

Hermit crabs feeding at night

9. EXPLORE THE MOTU

Swim out to one of the motu around Muri beach. At low tide the water isonly waist deep and you can walk out. Walk around and
pretend like you’re theonly one on the island, because you probably are. Watch out for fallingcoconuts through the
thick of the palm trees and have insect repellent for themozzies out here. You will find sprouting coconuts and hermit crabs everywhere.Enjoy the whole Island to yourself and lie ona beach with no one else. Watch the main Islandcarry
on without you.

Small Motu, Muri

10. VISIT BLACK ROCK

This Big black rock is hidden from view as you drive around the Island but is located just south of the runway end at thesea
wall. There is an area to park opposite an empty block with possibly a cowcasually grazing. An information sign is also another indication you have
foundBlack Rock.

This large chunk of 1.9 million year old Bassalt lying in the lagoonjust metres from shore is significant culturally and
historically. This site iswhere ancestors came to Tuoro (Black Rock) to work the stone to make tools. Itis also
believed to be the site where dead spirits leave Rarotongaand start their journey back to their ancient homeland.

A perfect site to watch the sunset as it’s at the North/West corner of the
Island. Sit onthe grass or climb on top of the rock and watch the sun go down. Capture somebeautiful sunset photos
from here.

Black Rock (Tuoro)

If you know of any other free activities to do while in Rarotonga, share in the comments below.